Supermarket worker ‘Facebook-famous’

For CITC supermarket employee Malcolm Browne, it is always an easy decision to help customers with their groceries.

The 27-year-old, who started working for CITC as a groundsman, has become Facebook-famous after being celebrated for helping customers load heavy groceries into their vehicles.

Browne, who is in charge of cleaning the carpark, returning the trolleys and general maintenance of the grounds, says helping customers with their groceries is a self-directed role he felt needed to be done.

“I’m always happy to help people who need a hand – it’s something I talked about in my job interview before I started,” he said.

“People who I have helped in the past come back and ask me to do it again and I don’t mind. I have also pointed out people who have left their phones in the trolleys, so it’s a good way for them to not drive off without them.”

Browne said it was starting to become common to get customers coming up to him and asking for assistance after seeing the pictures and posts of his helpful actions on Facebook.

“Some people see me in the carpark and say hi after seeing me on Facebook. It doesn’t take much to give them a hand.”

CITC supermarket retail manager Monica Taripo-Tuaratini said the response from the community has been overwhelming. “For such a simple job, the comments we have received from customers has been amazing. “Helping others just comes naturally to Malcolm and he has really set the standard for the rest of our team.” Taripo-Tuaratini said some customers have gone out of their way to bring Malcolm some lunch as a thank you.

“They have said to me, ‘Where did you find this amazing boy. You should have had him since day one’.”

“Malcolm keeps telling me to ask them to stop bringing in lunch, and I said they will when you stop doing such an amazing job, which will obviously not happen.”